Category Archives: life stuff

Shine Bright

15th September 2014
Over the last few months I’ve found myself braving quite a new few styles when it comes to clothing- from the matchy matchy co-ord to bearing all in a cropped tee it seems that nothing has been off limits. One item that took mea while to warm to was culottes, especially those of the midi length, but now I own a pair I am wondering what on earth took me so long; flattering, comfortable and with more dignity saving potential than the humble midi skirt, I’m a convert.

Vest: New Look | Culottes: New Look | Boots: H&M | Necklace: Local shop

These culottes from New Look were something crazy like £7 in the sale which is why I finally decided to take the plunge and make a purchase. I’d been eyeing this particular pair for a while and I’m pleased I didn’t miss out as they are a super versatile addition to my wardrobe and perfect for this time of year. I wore this outfit for a sunny Sunday stroll around Bristol with Ben, taking in the eccentricity of Stokes Croft and the tranquility of the Harbour-side but they would also work well for the office with a smarter top and some flat shoes.
When I say that this necklace is from a local shop, I not only mean a shop that is local to me in Nailsea but that only sells goods made by local people. I can’t resist popping in there for a browse every time I pass as there are always stunning new arrivals and I like to support local talents. This was actually a gift from Ben who shares my love for all things unique and handmade and I always get comments on it whenever I wear it.
Talking of comments, these boots got a fair bit of attention when I was out and about. I had them on order from H&M for ages before they finally arrived; it took about six weeks for them to be in stock but they were well worth the wait. I didn’t realise when I ordered that they are not only patent but somewhat holographic, which makes them even better in my eyes; I was desperate for a pair of silver holographic boots last winter but these are a bit less “out there” and will no doubt be lived in all through the next few months as despite walking for miles in them they remained immensely comfortable.
Ben and I stumbled across this gem of a shop whilst in town that weekend- yet another reason why I love Bristol so much, it’s such a creative city with a brilliant sense of humour…it’s taken a few years but I’ve really got to know the place lately and I fall a little more in love with every visit (and yes, it’s shameful how awful my knowledge of Bristol was before last year, I blame being a small town girl on the out-skirts!). What do you love about where you live?

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Posted in jewellery, life stuff, outfits, shoes

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Monki Love

12th September 2014
The dress in this post is both the first item from Monki (via ASOS) that I bought but also the first bodycon piece of clothing that I had ever bought and then worn more than once. It has to be one of the most forgiving dresses ever, worn through a stone and a half of gained weight and still fitting me in a way I like. It also happens to be a great piece for this time of year as the silhouette lends itself perfectly to layering, in this instance I added in my cream biker jacket from Pull and Bear and some heeled sandals from Clarks.
I bought this jacket to be a Spring piece, thinking that cream wouldn’t be a good colour for the latter part of the year but I think that actually it’s a good all-rounder and it will be worn until the weather gets too cold to wear anything but a winter coat (please don’t be soon!). Pull and Bear did this in loads of colours at the time for around £25 and I’m kicking myself for nothing picking up a black one too.
The dress might be worn to death but it’s lasted well- as with all of my Monki pieces it has washed really well without losing the colour or the pattern bleeding. I’m itching to visit an actual store, which is yet more reason to get my backside up to London during my week off at the end of September- I’d be going solo though and to be quite honest, I’m a little afraid of being let loose in the capital alone!
Talking of weeks off, I’ve got a lovely long weekend ahead of me as I booked some extra time out of the office for Ben’s Birthday weekend (his Birthday is today). We don’t really have any solid plans this year but it’s nice to actually know I can be at home, bake him a cake and generally just chill out and not rush anywhere. We’re heading in to flu season at the surgery next week so a couple of days relaxation is very much required!
Should I brave London alone?

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Posted in life, life stuff, outfits

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On being a woman with Thierry Mugler / #BeawareofAngels

07th September 2014
I’ve never really thought about the fact I’m a woman. By that I mean of course I knew I WAS one but I had never explored what it actually meant to me. It’s actually only been the last 18months where I’ve thought of myself as anything other than just a body occupied by illness, I felt I had no identity outside of that and at times never saw a future for myself, let alone actually growing and developing in to who I am today. It was quite timely, really that the folks at Thierry Mugler got in touch and posed a few questions about womanhood as part of a new campaign.
These days I can appreciate my femininity and all that in entails. From having a body with curves that I am willing to embrace through to finding a boyfriend and falling in love. I spend time attempting to better my daily appearance, I bother about my hair and my makeup and although superficial I feel that it’s all a part of my new found acceptance of who I am and wanting to appear pretty to the world (I know some will disagree with this, but to me personally it’s a part of being a woman and embracing my feminine side).

I also don’t believe that being a woman should limit myself, or anyone in achieving what they want to achieve. It hasn’t been an easy journey but I’m now happily settled in job (well, jobs) that I love and match exactly what I always wanted before illness and a loss of drive stood in the way. Anybody who tries to tell me I can’t do something will be greeted with a “watch me” – those words just add fuel to the fire, I still lack some confidence in my ability but slowly and surely I am starting to believe in those three little words “yes, I can”.

The last year and a half has been a metamorphosis, really. I feel like I’ve emerged out of a safe and warm little bubble in to a world full of colour and noise and emotions (and yes, I am one of those women who cries at everything!). It’s a little scary sometimes but I am always learning and expanding on myself. My confidence in who I am as a person and what I look like is growing on a daily basis…you’re never going to find me walking around with my arse hanging out a pair of hot pants or my boobs spilling out of a top, but that’s ok. My inspiration doesn’t come from celebrities or fictional characters, nope, mine comes from the people I see around me on a daily basis- from the patients I see in my clinics, from bloggers who I look up to and admire, from my Nan and my mother and my friends. I am often humbled by these wonderful people and draw on their experiences to develop my own.

My name is Laura and I am a headstrong, capable and incredibly stubborn woman and nothing else is going to get in my way.

To find out more about the campaign you can check out the following social media channels:

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Pintrest

Let me know your thoughts on being a woman below.

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Posted in life stuff

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Meow or Never

29th August 2014
Another day and yet another piece of cat related clothing, I just can’t help myself! River Island only served to encourage me the other week too, when they had a free delivery code for a day and I happened to have a little bit of cash in my paypal account burning a hole in my virtual pocket.

Tee: River Island | Jeans: New Look | Boots: Jeffrey Campbell

This tee is basically my dream fit. Baggy without being shapeless, a not in your face colour that isn’t black or white and a cat related slogan. At £16 it’s actually more than I would usually pay for a top (because I’m cheap) but in the land of the high-street I think it’s pretty good value and is of excellent quality.

This is quite typical of what I wear on a work from home afternoon when I have no plans on leaving the house. As much as I love the colour of these jeans I’m not sure where I stand on how I look in them. Recovery is a tough nut to crack and although I’m physically healthy and have been at a healthy weight for three, almost four months now (which is the longest I ever have in my adult life) I’m struggling mentally with body image. As much as I know that to anyone else I look fine, I still can’t accept my reflection in the mirror with anything but a sinking heart and it’s taking all of my strength not to give in. It’ll be much better when my back starts behaving again and I can get out and exercise and tone up, I think once that starts to happen things will become easier. In the mean time I’m just reminding myself of how much more I can do these days and how many goals and ambitions I have for the coming months.

Sorry for that little tangent, my fingers just started writing. Lets focus on something happier, like these boots. I resent needing to wear them in August but they are pretty damn awesome. I love the colour and they are surprisingly versatile to pair with things. The height is also perfect for every day wearing and I can walk for miles in them comfortably. I am going on a shoe ban for the next few months, I have more pairs than I can possibly store, especially once I move so I’m going to have a good sort out and sell some on ebay/depop and those that I keep I’ll be wearing to death. Size 7 folks keep your eyes peeled!

Seen any more feline themed clothing out there? Link me up below!

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Posted in life stuff, outfits, shoes

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Working from home in style with Viking

27th August 2014
Since starting my work with Riddle I’ve had to become a lot more organised with everything. My time management skills had to improve ten fold and my habit of leaving to-do lists and bits of paper all over the house had to stop. I was recently contacted by the folks at Viking Direct and asked if I would like to pick a few bits from their range of fashion stationery which was the perfect kick up the backside to sort myself out in style…not only for my job, but for all my blogging paraphernalia too.
Obviously my old faithful Mac Book is a blogging and working essential but unlike most people I know, I’m not a fan of spreadsheets for keeping organised. I prefer good old pen and paper so when I saw this adorable Hello Kitty fountain pen it was immediately added to my “please may I have” list. I always think my writing looks loads neater when I use a fountain pen and I love the old fashioned look of real ink.
On the afternoons where I set up office in the conservatory (or when I’m cheekily writing blog posts on my bed) you’ll never see my far away from my pink Moleskine notebook and my weekly planner from Paperchase. I don’t care what anybody says, Moleskines are hands down the nicest notebooks to use- they make me feel a lot more productive too, for some reason! The planner is a recent addition to my desk and it is so, so useful as I can see at a glance what I have on for the week and how much time I have to fit in all that I need to.
Also from Viking I picked this pink 3 litre storage box to store some of the bits and pieces I get sent for review as I am so bad for putting things down somewhere and not finding them again for ages. I also have some pink plastic bucket type things from Asda for bigger items and they keep my bedroom looking a whole lot neater!
Finally- FOLDERS! I’m mad for owls so it was a no brainer when I saw the funky owl range
on the Viking site. I always feel like I can never have enough folders in my life as I use them for everything- receipts, press releases, copies of invoices, important documents, magazine clippings…the list goes on and on.

I think that just about sums up my current essentials, all you lovely bloggers (and work from home-ers) what can’t you live with out? I’m sure there are things I am lacking and I do love an excuse for a good stationary shop!

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Posted in life stuff, stationary, work

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